Sumatriptan
Images for illustration purposes only. Brands may vary.
Availability
Fastest delivery available: 06/12/2023
Medication features
Sumatriptan is a migraine medication, used to alleviate associated symptoms of headaches, nausea and light sensitivity. Take Sumatriptan migraine medication as soon as your migraine occurs in order to effectively tackle symptoms.
This pain-relieving medication works by thinning the brain’s blood vessels and blocking pain receptors associated with migraine headaches.
- Relieves Acute Migraine Symptoms
- Easy Dosing
- Next Day Delivery Available
- Sumatriptan is Part of the 'Triptan' Class Of Drug
Overview
What is Sumatriptan used for
Sumatriptan 50mg &100mg tablets are used for the effective relief of migraines in adults. Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called triptans, or serotonin agonists. The tablets are taken once a migraine has begun and not before.
Sumatriptan relieves other symptoms that occur together with a migraine headache, such as vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound.
If you experience these types of headaches frequently, Sumatriptan tablets will be able to help.
Many individuals find their headaches go away completely after taking this medication. Others find that their headaches are less painful, allowing them to be able to go back to their normal daily activities even though a migraine headache is not completely gone.
It is important to know that Sumatriptan tablets don’t prevent these headaches, and you may need to undergo testing to find out why you are experiencing them. Sumatriptan also should not be taken too frequently.
However, if you experience occasional migraines and need some relief, this medication has been proven to be very effective.
Sumatriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It will not relieve pain other than from migraine headaches. This medication is typically prescribed for people whose headaches are not relieved by aspirin, acetaminophen, and other pain relievers.
You can learn more about migraines by reading our blog on how migraines are more than just a headache.
How does Sumatriptan work?
Sumatriptan and the ‘triptan’ class of serotonin receptor subtype-selective drugs have well-established efficacy in treating the pain of a migraine.
Sumatriptan narrows the brain’s blood vessels providing relief from the swelling. It reduces the triggers which cause headaches, noise and light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting brought on by migraines. It is helpful in treating moderate to severe headaches.
The drug is effective in relieving migraine symptoms. It works best at the onset of headaches leading to migraines. It still works even if it was taken after the headache has started, but the relief might take a while before taking effect.
How long does Sumatriptan stay in your system?
Sumatriptan is short-acting; people often report that headaches recur a few hours after taking Sumatriptan tablets. If this happens to you, you can take more Sumatriptan, but do not exceed the dosage of 300mg of tablets in 24 hours.
How long does Sumatriptan take to work?
You should take Sumatriptan tablets as soon as you experience a migraine - but not before the migraine actually starts (not while you are in the ‘aura’ phase). Generally, you will notice some relief after 30 to 60 minutes.
Sumatriptan reviews
Most Sumatriptan reviews are very positive. Reviewers report that Sumatriptan can get rid of migraines efficiently and quickly, targeting headaches that painkillers have not been able to eliminate. A few people mention side effects, but these side effects bear similarities to symptoms of migraines, such as nausea and vomiting.
Sumatriptan over the counter
You can buy Sumatriptan from the Online Pharmacy after completing a quick consultation with one of our specialists. If you have not taken it before or have had any changes to your medical history, you should always consult a doctor before trying this drug.
Medication ordered from Cloud Pharmacy is delivered the very next day.
Sumatriptan and alcohol
Alcohol does not react with Sumatriptan tablets, however, alcohol can cause more severe migraines. If you drink alcohol, it may cause Sumatriptan not to work as well. You probably won’t feel like having a drink while you have a migraine anyway, but it is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Sumatriptan.
Sumatriptan and pregnancy
There is no conclusive evidence about whether Sumatriptan is harmful during pregnancy. If your migraines are severe, your doctor may decide that it is worth the risk. However, there may be other safer alternatives - it’s best to talk to your doctor to discuss Sumatriptan and other migraine medicine.
Taking Sumatriptan while breastfeeding is generally safe. This is because small traces of Sumatriptan passes into breast milk - not enough to cause any problems. However, if your baby has any health concerns or was born prematurely, it’s best to speak to your doctor first.
Can you take painkillers with Sumatriptan?
If your first dose of Sumatriptan does not relieve your migraine, you can also use painkillers. It is safe to take it with paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sumatriptan with any prescribed painkillers.
Side Effects
Sumatriptan side effects
Sumatriptan has some common and less common side effects. Most people experience no side effects or minor issues.
Common side effects of Sumatriptan
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Flushing or unusual hot and cold symptoms
These can also be associated with migraines and cluster headaches, so you might not even notice them as side effects. However, if they are severe or last for longer than a few days, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Provided these side effects aren’t severe, it is usually safe to wait a few days and see if they subside. If you are concerned, speak to your doctor.
Serious side effects of Sumatriptan
Serious side effects are rare. However, if you experience the following, seek medical attention immediately:
- Tingling or tightness in your chest
- Tingling or tightness elsewhere on your body, including your arms, legs, or face
- Heaviness in your body
- Warmth or cold in your face
If any of these symptoms feel very intense, seek emergency medical care.
Rarely, people experience a severe allergic reaction to this medication. Symptoms include:
- Wheezing or spluttering
- Trouble breathing or talking
- Swelling in the tongue, face, throat, and lips
- Severe tightness in the chest or throat
If you experience this, go to A&E immediately or call 999.
If you have the following conditions, you should not take Sumatriptan:
- Angina or artery disease
- A history of stroke
- High blood pressure (if you have had high blood pressure in the past and now stabilized Sumatriptan tablets may be suitable)
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Hemiplegic or basilar migraine
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Ischemic bowel disease
Sumatriptan reactions
Speak to your doctor before taking Sumatriptan if you also take any other medication. This includes prescribed drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal medicine.
Most medication is safe to take with Sumatriptan, but the advice changes from time to time and your doctor will have the most up-to-date guidance.
You should take particular concern if you already take the following medication:
- Other triptans, ergotamine, or other migraine and headache medicine
- Certain antidepressants
- Opioids including codeine, fentanyl, or morphine
- Bromocriptine
- Tramadol
Antidepressants, including herbal medication like St John’s wort, taken with Sumatriptan could put you at risk of serotonin syndrome. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include twitching, high temperature, diarrhoea, shivering, increased heart rate, or unusual mood changes. If you experience these, seek immediate medical care.
This list does not include every possible drug reaction, so it is important to consult with your doctor before taking Sumatriptan tablets if you use any other medication.
Warnings
Sumatriptan warnings
Inform your doctor in case you have:
- hypertension;
- coronary heart disease;
- arrhythmia;
- high cholesterol;
- a history of kidney or liver disease;
- a family history of coronary artery disease; and
- if you are male at least 40 years of age or a woman who has had a hysterectomy.
Additionally, inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking especially antidepressants, both prescription and over-the-counter, as these could interact with Sumatriptan.
Sumatriptan should not be used during pregnancy. It should be prescribed only when clearly needed. Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risk of taking this medication during your pregnancy.
Sumatriptan passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before you breastfeed.
A drug interaction may alter the way your medicine works or increase the risks of side effects. Share with your doctor a list of all the medications you are currently taking. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine without first getting the approval of your doctor.
Do not take any MAO inhibitors during treatment with sumatriptan as the combination may cause serious, possibly fatal, drug interactions.
Patient Information Leaflet
Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
These can be found on medicines.org by typing them into the search bar.
Directions
Sumatriptan dosage guide
Here’s how to take Sumatriptan 50mg & 100mg tablets - make sure that you read this thoroughly so you know what to do next time you have a migraine or refer to the Sumatriptan patient information leaflet.
If you have Sumatriptan tablets, swallow them with water. You should swallow them in one piece; do not chew them. However, if you struggle to swallow a whole tablet some Sumatriptan tablets can be broken in half, but only if they have a line in the middle. If your tablets can do this, there will be a note on the information leaflet in the medicine packet.
Most people find that Sumatriptan 50mg is adequate to get rid of their migraines. However, if you have particularly severe migraines, or if Sumatriptan 50mg has not worked for you in the past, your doctor might prescribe Sumatriptan 100mg.
If your Sumatriptan tablet does not get rid of your migraine, you can take another. However, it’s important to remember not to take too much - the maximum amount of Sumatriptan you can take in 24 hours is 300mg.
Sumatriptan tablets are only suitable for the relief of migraines.
Sumatriptan overdose
Sumatriptan overdose is very dangerous. If you have taken too much Sumatriptan (over 300mg of tablets, consult your doctor straight away.
If you experience any of the following symptoms after taking too much Sumatriptan: slow heart rate, fainting, loss of bladder or bowel control, unusual fatigue, or vomiting, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
A Sumatriptan overdose can cause heart problems, including heart attacks, and can reduce your blood supply to essential organs. These can be life-threatening if they are not treated immediately.
You shouldn’t take Sumatriptan for an extended period of time. If you have experienced more than four migraines in 30 days and have had to take Sumatriptan for all of them, consult your doctor. Overusing Sumatriptan may put you at higher risk of side effects and cause medication overuse headaches, which could result in more migraines.
In summary, if you have taken too much Sumatriptan, make sure that you seek medical attention immediately. If you need to go to the hospital, do not drive yourself - ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance. Take the Sumatriptan packet and its information booklet with you.
FAQs
What is A Migraine?
Migraines generally start as a dull ache and then develop into a throbbing and pulsating constant pain that you will likely feel at the temples as well as the front or back of both sides of your head. The pain usually comes with bouts of nausea, vomiting and hypersensitivity to light and sound. Prior to a migraine attack, some people will experience something called an aura (about 25% of people who suffer from migraines).
What Causes Migraines?
The cause of mingraines is stilll somewhat ambiguous however it is believed to be caused by a chemical reaction in the brain which leads to constriction of certain vessels, triggering the headache. There is thought to be both environmental and genetic factors which influence who gets migraine as well as susceptibility to migraine attacks.
How Do I Treat Migraines?
Migraines can be treated using a variety of techniques, however unfortunately, there is no cure for migraines. The most common way to deal with migraines is to use a particular class of medcations known as triptans. Triptans are used to treat the acute migraine symptoms. However there are some prophylactic/preventative treatments that can be take for the treatment of migraine such as propranolo and topiramate.
What is A Migraine Aura?
Around 20-25% of people who suffer from Migraine will likely have an aura prior to the migraine itself. An aura can be described as varying intensities of certain neurological symptoms that act as a 'warning sign' to tell you that you are about to have a migraine. An aura can manifest as you seeing wavy or jagged lines, dots or flashing lights- this often described as a chemical or electrical wave that moves accross the visual cortex. Auras can also lead to you having tunnel vision or blind spots in one or both eyes. There are other symptoms associated with a migraine aura such as auditory/visual hallucinations, changes in small (phantom smells), numbness, pins and needles or speech disturbances.
Can The Weather Affect Migraines?
For some people, weather changes can cause an imbalance in neurotransmitters and chmicals in the brain such a sereotning (5-HT), which can lead to more frequent migraines. Bright sunshine as well as hot and humid conditions may lead to your migraines being triggered. Some studies have shown that low barometric pressure can act as a trigger for migraines for some people.
What is A Migraine Trigger?
Migraine triggers vary person to person; something that affects one person may not affect the other. Surveys, diary studies and clinical trials have inidicated that stress, menstrual cycle changes, weather changes, sleep disturbances, alcohol, and other foods are among the most common factors mentioned when it comes to triggering a migraine. To help prevent migraines it is important to keep a diary of when you have a migraine attack. This allows for you to pin-point what may be causing your migraine and therefore drastically reducing your chance of getting a migraine.
Am I More Likely to Get A Stroke if I Suffer From Migraine?
Migraines are generally considered a relatively benign neurological condition. However, research has shown an association between migraines and stroke, and especially between migraine with aura and ischaemic stroke. Patients can also suffer from migrainous infarction (blood clot), a subset of ischaemic stroke that often occurs in the posterior circulation of younger women. The exact origina of migrainous associated infarction is not known, but it is theorised that the duration and local neuronal energy level from cortical spreading depression may be a prime factor.
Is There A Link Between Hormonal Changes and Migraine?
Horomones are proteins that are responsible for the regulation and overall biochemical function of our body to allow for complete balance and homeostasis as your environment changes. If you have a hormonal imbalance in your body during menopause, pregnancy or mestruation it can lead to a migraine attack.
What Medications Can Be Used to Treat The Acute Symptoms of Migraine?
Acute medications are used to treat the pain of the headache after the migraine has started. Examples of acute migraine medications are some NSAIDS (ibuprofen/diclofenac/naproxen), ergots (ergotamine) and triptans (sumatriptan/rizrtriptan/zolmitriptan)
How Can I learn More About Migraines?
There are a variety of resources available to learn about migraines online. We have summarised the most reliable sources on our cloud pharmacy blog: Migraines: More Than Just A Headache
Reviews
Confirm Sumatriptan treatment selection
| 50mg | 3 | £6.99 |
| 50mg | 6 | £9.99 |
| 50mg | 12 | £18.99 |
| 50mg | 18 | £26.99 |
| 100mg | 6 | £11.99 |
| 100mg | 12 | £20.99 |
| 100mg | 18 | £28.99 |
